MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson said an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) called up one lawmaker to make early insertions in the proposed national budget for 2026.
The senator on Sunday said a caller claiming to be "Undersecretary Cabral" from DPWH called up a staff member of Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III shortly after the May 2025 senatorial elections.
"One 'Undersecretary Cabral' called Sotto's staff and told them to insert what they wanted to insert [in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026]," Lacson said in a radio interview.
"If Sen. Sotto was one of those called by that executive, who else could have been contacted similarly and submitted their proposed insertions?" he said in Filipino.
"Senator Sotto told me he did not submit anything because we are advocating transparency and good governance. The question now is, how many members of the House and Senate made insertions?" Lacson added.
DPWH exec asked lawmaker to make budget insertions — Lacson, This news data comes from:http://705-888.com
- Taiwan: China illegally deploying oil rigs in our waters
- Retired NBI agents urge Marcos to appoint career official to replace Santiago
- Lacson replaces Marcoleta as Blue Ribbon panel chairman
- Construction managers, developers back Housing chief's anti-corruption advocacy
- Comelec completes ballot printing for Bangsamoro elections despite redistricting dispute
- Putin threatens to target Western troops in Ukraine
- Pump prices increase for 2nd straight week
- Putin vows not to back down in Ukraine
- LPA may still develop into short-lived tropical cyclone
- CBCP president urges Israel to stop military operations in Gaza
